curately and intelligently in order to give the required brevity of form and to produce uniformity in writing.
Second, that the proportion of the characters must be constantly observed. That is, a careful distinction must be made in the length of strokes and in the size of circles.
Third, much practice must be obtained in applying principles and in the execution of the characters in order to secure facility.
Fourth, everything written must be read—even the forms made in practicing the simple characters of the alphabet. The shorthand characters should be analyzed, criticized and studied until an accurate style of writing has become a habit.
Fifth, frequent and thorough reviews are essential to rapid and sure progress. The review should not be confined solely to "mental" review, but should be accompanied by much practice in writing. A deep impression of the principles can be acquired only by such reviews intelligently conducted. Each time the writer goes over a principle thoughtfully with the mind concentrated on it, the deeper will become the impression of that principle.
Sixth, shorthand is a habit-forming study; habits are acquired not by doing a thing once but by repetition.
Seventh, as much as possible of actual writing should be done from dictation, or from copying well-written shorthand. Copying from printed matter is useful, but since shorthand writing is nearly always done from dictation it is evident that practice of this kind is preferable. The student, however, should form the habit of writing all of his original compositions and notes in shorthand. We learn shorthand by using it
